Tuesday, June 24, 2008
[Book Review] CHASING HARRY WINSTON by Lauren Weisberger
Fiction/Chick LitAndrea Bledsoe reviews CHASING HARRY WINSTON by Lauren Weisberger (Simon and Schuster, 2008)
What’s a girl to do if she lives in high society Manhattan, is quickly approaching 30, is single, and feels there are no prospects out there?
Well, most likely, the aforementioned young lady will either have an emotional temper-fit complete with tears, self-pity, and aggravation, OR she will hold her head up high and think it’s not even worth the stress of a second thought.
For Leigh, Emmy, and Adriana, characters in Lauren--famous for The Devil Wears Prada-- Weisberger’s latest novel, 30 and single is a death sentence. Determined to make new lifestyle changes, the girls embark on adventures of self-analysis and self-improvement.
Leigh, the neurotic, single but commitment-phobic editor, is expected to get her ESPN boyfriend to propose.
Emmy, the newly dumped chef, is not to look at any and every man as her future husband. The others convince her she should have a "long series of affairs" and not husband hunt all the time.
Adriana, the stunning, Brazilian model must prove she can be a serial-monogamist and stop using men just as sex objects.
Each young woman gets what she wants. Russell proposes to Leigh, Emmy has her affairs, and Adriana begins a committed relationship with a famous director. Even though they achieve their goals, do the results make and keep them happy? I’m not one for spoilers so readers must find out on their own.
I enjoyed this book because although I am a newly engaged, over 30 young woman, I have also been nearly 30 and single with no eligible prospects. It’s rough! The girls and their personal plights made me laugh, even though the language in the novel is coarse. Getting past that, Weisberger has written another great story.
Andrea Bledsoe, Poplar-White Station Branch Library
Labels: Chick Lit, Reviews by Andrea King
Friday, June 20, 2008
THE MEMPHIS READS QUESTION
Have you ever read a book and found yourself casting the roles as you read? Maybe you find yourself hoping that the book will make the transformation to film someday. For this month's Memphis Reads Question, please tell us:
What books have you read that should be movies but aren't?
Labels: Books and Movies, Memphis Reads Question
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
[Book Review] DOWN RIVER by John Hart
Fiction/MainstreamAlice Kendall reviews DOWN RIVER by John Hart (Thomas Dunne Books, 2007)
The Chase family is dysfunctional. That is a very general statement that doesn’t begin to cover the depths of betrayal and disloyalty to which families can sink. It is also a family that is capable of sacrifice for the sake of the others. The question for the reader is: who is betraying whom?
When Adam Chase returns to his home town in Rowan County, North Carolina someone scratches "killer" into the paint of his expensive car and his best friend’s father beats him so badly he has to go to the hospital. And then things really start going badly. It doesn’t take long to decide that Adam’s stepbrother is probably the one responsible for Adam standing trial for murder five years earlier and all the violence that is happening now. Or is he? As the story progresses and more characters are introduced, the plot not only thickens, it positively roils.
Down River won the 2008 Edgar award for best mystery novel. It’s easy to understand why. It is a page-turner and a delight to mystery fans. The characters are recognizable without being caricatures. The plot is as fast and twisting as the river that has played a major role in Adam’s development. And the end, when it comes, is as real as human nature with all its disappointments and promise.
Alice Kendall, Parkway Village Branch Library
Labels: Reviews by Alice Kendall
Saturday, June 14, 2008
[Book Review] THE DEVIL'S BONES by Jefferson Bass
Fiction/SuspenseBeth reviews THE DEVIL'S BONES by Jefferson Bass (William Morrow, 2008)
Being from East Tennessee, I look forward to Jefferson Bass’ novels. They take me back home. This novel was especially interesting as it focused on several different plot lines and reminded me of some of James Patterson’s work.
The first case Dr. Bill Brockton is working on surrounds the mysterious death of Mary Latham. She was found burned to death in her car. Could her husband, who was gambling in Las Vegas at the time, have killed her? For "research," Dr. Brockton decides to test out some theories—by setting two cars on fire! Of course, there are bodies in there…he does run the body farm. Can his investigation gather enough evidence to locate the real killer?
Dr. Brockton's second case involves a situation that has been in the news a lot lately. The case begins when his lawyer, Burt DeVriess, sends him a package through the mail—the remains of the attorney's Aunt Jean, which look suspicious. Dr. Brockton agrees to look into the matter for DeVriess and gets more than he bargained for! The crematorium in Georgia where Aunt Jean was sent refuses phone calls—so off he goes in search of answers. What he finds is mind-boggling.
If this wasn’t enough for one person to deal with, Garland Hamilton has escaped from jail. He tried to frame Dr. Brockton for murder in Flesh and Bone, and now he is after him. Will he catch up with Dr. Brockton? Who will come out of the match-up alive?
Although the chapters jump from one case another, the book ties up nicely at the end. I can’t wait for the next book from Jefferson Bass.
The first case Dr. Bill Brockton is working on surrounds the mysterious death of Mary Latham. She was found burned to death in her car. Could her husband, who was gambling in Las Vegas at the time, have killed her? For "research," Dr. Brockton decides to test out some theories—by setting two cars on fire! Of course, there are bodies in there…he does run the body farm. Can his investigation gather enough evidence to locate the real killer?
Dr. Brockton's second case involves a situation that has been in the news a lot lately. The case begins when his lawyer, Burt DeVriess, sends him a package through the mail—the remains of the attorney's Aunt Jean, which look suspicious. Dr. Brockton agrees to look into the matter for DeVriess and gets more than he bargained for! The crematorium in Georgia where Aunt Jean was sent refuses phone calls—so off he goes in search of answers. What he finds is mind-boggling.
If this wasn’t enough for one person to deal with, Garland Hamilton has escaped from jail. He tried to frame Dr. Brockton for murder in Flesh and Bone, and now he is after him. Will he catch up with Dr. Brockton? Who will come out of the match-up alive?
Although the chapters jump from one case another, the book ties up nicely at the end. I can’t wait for the next book from Jefferson Bass.
Beth, Highland Branch Library
Labels: Reviews by Beth, Suspense
[WYPL BOOK TALK] Live Taping of Billie Letts Interview
BOOK TALK is an informal, radio interview show featuring authors discussing their work. The show is produced at the studios of WYPL and can be heard Saturdays at 6 p.m. on FM 89.3.
The public is invited to attend a live taping of an interview.
Billie Letts
Monday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m.
WYPL Studios
Billie Letts returns to "Book Talk" with her latest book, Made in the U.S.A. She is also the author of an Oprah Book Club selection, Where the Heart Is, which was made into a major motion picture. Susan Gray will host the thirty-minute interview.
"Book Talk" is taped in the WYPL radio studios, located in the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38111. The public is invited to attend. For more information call, (901) 415-2752.
The public is invited to attend a live taping of an interview.
Billie Letts
Monday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m.
WYPL Studios
Billie Letts returns to "Book Talk" with her latest book, Made in the U.S.A. She is also the author of an Oprah Book Club selection, Where the Heart Is, which was made into a major motion picture. Susan Gray will host the thirty-minute interview.
"Book Talk" is taped in the WYPL radio studios, located in the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38111. The public is invited to attend. For more information call, (901) 415-2752.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Kimberla Lawson Roby Visits North Branch Library
The Memphis Public Library & Information Center frequently hosts visits of popular authors. This past Monday, bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby visited the North Branch Library.Ms. Roby appeared at North at the request of Johnnie Mosley, librarian and facilitator of the Renaissance Men's Book Club:
I asked her to come since she was here in Memphis for the Sisterhood Showcase at the Cook Convention Center and abook signing at Borders Bookstore in Germantown. Kimberla informed me that there was no way she could tell me no because of the moral support I have given her before she became a bestselling author. Also, she let me know that she appreciated the fact that the Renaissance Men's Book Club has read and bought her books. A number of guys in the group have also written her e-mails in the past. It was not until Lillian in Marketing asked me whether
the Renaissance Men's Book Club had read any of Kimberla 's books that I discovered that we had read 7 of the nine books she had written. Kimberla let all of us know that she enjoyed her visit with us. We also enjoyed her visit. When Kimberla came through the door, she and I were so glad to see each other.
Labels: African-American Fiction, Library Events and Programs
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
[Resources] The Fiction Database
The Fiction Database is an online resource for fiction titles. They specialize in romance and Westerns, but cover other genres of fiction as well.
Although you have to pay for a subscription to the database, it has several useful features that can be used for free.
The "new releases" section allows users to select a month and year to see which books have been or are scheduled to be released then. Currently, users can look as far ahead as December, 2008.
Another useful feature of the site is the complete author lists which can be sorted by title or publication date. Author's works that appear in anthologies are also included on the site, so you may be able to find some short stories you didn't know existed by your favorite authors.
Other lists that users might find helpful include complete series lists (especially for series with multiple authors that share a continuity, like Star Wars or Star Trek) and author pseudonym lists to help users find books by writers who use more than one name (like Victoria Holt).
I didn't find the book details pages to be all that useful, but they do link to outside reviews, usually hosted at Amazon.com. Users who are not paid subscribers must also look at the version of the site with advertising, but that is not uncommon on the Internet.
Jesse Pool, Highland Branch Library
Although you have to pay for a subscription to the database, it has several useful features that can be used for free.
The "new releases" section allows users to select a month and year to see which books have been or are scheduled to be released then. Currently, users can look as far ahead as December, 2008.
Another useful feature of the site is the complete author lists which can be sorted by title or publication date. Author's works that appear in anthologies are also included on the site, so you may be able to find some short stories you didn't know existed by your favorite authors.
Other lists that users might find helpful include complete series lists (especially for series with multiple authors that share a continuity, like Star Wars or Star Trek) and author pseudonym lists to help users find books by writers who use more than one name (like Victoria Holt).
I didn't find the book details pages to be all that useful, but they do link to outside reviews, usually hosted at Amazon.com. Users who are not paid subscribers must also look at the version of the site with advertising, but that is not uncommon on the Internet.
Jesse Pool, Highland Branch Library
Labels: Resources
Friday, June 06, 2008
Kimberla Lawson Roby to Visit North Branch
Bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby will appear at the North Branch Library on Monday, June 9 at 1:00 p.m.
Please call (901) 276-6631 for more information.
Labels: African-American Fiction
Thursday, June 05, 2008
[Book Review] THE DEATH OF VISHNU by Manil Suri
Fiction/InternationalJesse Pool reviews THE DEATH OF VISHNU by Manil Suri (Norton, 2001)
At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Vishnu, an aging drunk who lives on the landing below the Asrani and the Pathak families. He's paid Tall Ganga, the former resident of the landing, for the privilege to live on the stairs and to do menial chores for the families in the building.
Vishnu becomes very ill, but the people in the building go on living their lives around him. Some hope that he is merely feigning illness, while others hope that he has already died. A very few feel empathy for him, although everyone seems to fear infection by coming to near him.
As Vishnu dies, he is separated from his body and ascends the stairs of the building. The novel alternates between Vishnu's vivid memories of his mother and his lover Padmini and stories of the residents of the Bombay building where Vishnu has lived. It's hinted that Vishnu may in fact be the final incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.
Through the interconnected stories, readers are exposed to many of the facets that make up modern Indian life. The Asranis and Pathaks, for instance, are bitter rivals as well as neighbors because they are forced to share a kitchen from which each believe the other to be pilfering. There is a forbidden romance between the Asranis' daughter Kavita and Salim Jalal, a Muslim boy upstairs. We see other conflicts between different faiths and traditions as well.
This novel is sometimes comical, and sometimes tragic, but always engaging. It may help to know a little bit about Indian customs and the Hindu religion, but it is not necessary to enjoy this novel.
Jesse Pool, Highland Branch Library
Labels: International Fiction, Reviews by Jesse Pool
Monday, June 02, 2008
Coming Attractions for June
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You
(and already on your library shelves!)
Many books are made into films each year. Here are a few films coming out this month based on books you can find on the shelves of some of your local library branches. Click on the title of the film to be taken to the official website of the movie and if you're interested, click on the name of the book it is based on to see which locations have the book available.
(and already on your library shelves!)
Many books are made into films each year. Here are a few films coming out this month based on books you can find on the shelves of some of your local library branches. Click on the title of the film to be taken to the official website of the movie and if you're interested, click on the name of the book it is based on to see which locations have the book available.
June
Film: The Incredible Hulk
Everything Hulk
Film: Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Everything Kit Kittredge
Labels: Books and Movies, Coming Attractions
